Liquid-flow switch



Feb. 7, 1928.

v W. R. WALKER LIQUID FLOW SWITCH Filed Aug- 26, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet lSUPPLY INVENTOR Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,618

W. R. WALKER LIQUID FLOW SWITCH Filed Aug. 26, 1924 2 Sheds-Sheet 2INVENTOR aw wfi Q/zw WHEY Patented Feb. 7. 1928.

" outrun srnrss ear WARREN Ft. WALKER, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW .vnnsnr,AS$IGNR T (JUMPER mwrnr ELECTRIU (COMPANY, OF HOBOKFN, NEW mIltSF'll', ACORPORATION @F' NEW JEFQFEY.

niacin-arrow SWITCH.

My present invention relates to electric switches of the liquid flowtype which are.

adapted "for making and breakin a circuit with a predetermined intervalot time bea tween successive makes and breaks and a predeterminedinterval of time between successive breaks and makes. This applicationis a continuance'in part of my co-pending applications Serial Numbers722,425; lll 722,426 and 722,427. This invention further relates tosystems such as electric sign systems in which the switch of myinvention is incorporated and which is controlled therel Heretoiore inelectric systems such as sign flashing systems in which current isalternately cut ed from the load for a predetermined length ottime andthen applied to the load for a predetermined length of time switches ofthe liquid flow type have been used requiring auxiliary'apparatus suchas dash pots for injecting a time la or interval into one phase of theoperation of the switch. It is a urpose or my present' invention toprovide a switch or this type which by virtue of its contsruction willwhen properly mounted as hereinafter tully described operate with a timelag before both the make and the break operations in- 39 herently.

A. further object of my invention is to provide a suitable electriccircuit embody ing the switch of my invention and a load which isalternately and for predetermined as lengths of time energized anddeenergized.

Tn the drawings forming a part of this application Fig. 1 is alongitudinal sectional view inelevation of a switch embodying my inventotion showing an electrode entering from be low into a chimney or cuphaving an opening therefrom whichis intermediate of the top and bottomof the main body of the switch in a closed position thereof and a bathet5 electrode adapted to control the. flow of mercury in the switch bothinto a circuit making position and into a circuit breaking position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2' 0t Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar diagrammatic view of the switch of Fig. 1 in an opencircuit position and incorporated in a circuit compris- I ing a solenoidadapted to operate the switch.

lg. .4 is a diagrammatic view of the switch of my invention in a signflash or load circuit comprising the switch operated solenoid connectedin series with the switch and load.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a s stem similar to that of Fig. l butwith a so enoiol connected in parallel with the load.

Fig. 6 is'a diagrammatic representation of the switch of Fig. 1 in aclosed circuit position.

Fig. 7 is companion to Fig. 6 and shows the switch thereof immediatelyafter being tilted into the circuit opening position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. 7 showing the mercuryimmediately after circuit has been broken between the part of the mainbody of mercury and the mercury in the electrode containing cup.

Fig. 9 is a view of the switch in theclosed circuit position of Fig. 6substantially immediately after it has been moved thereinto from thecomplete open circuit position of Figs. 7 and 8.

lln the drawings the sealed envelope 1 which is of suitable glass orother vitreous material'encloses a body of mercury 2 which til til

- extends above the upper limits of the cup of chimney 3 formed in saidenvelope ,1 and closed to the outside and to the interior of saidenvelope 1 except at its to The electrode l sealed into said cup 3 omthe outside terminates in said cup below the edge of the opening thereofpositioned near said cup 3 and extending'substantially across the fullcross section of-the envelope 1 is the bafie electrode 5 which connectswith the lead 6 which enters said envelope 1 through a seal at one endthereof and extends longitudinally thereof to said bafie electrode 5. Atthe bottom of said baflle electrode 5 is formed a small opening or notch7 in the "form of a V which serves as a restricted passageway for saidmercury 2 from a closed circuit position intoan open circuit positionthereof and vice versa. At the topof said baffle electrode the opening 8therethrough allows the passage of gas from one part of the switch toanother to equalize the efl ect of the flowof mercury from one positionto another. The bafile electrode 5 extending 5 across the switch chamberdivides it into two sub-chambers in one of which, 9, is po- .sitionedsaid cup 3. The size of sub-chamher 9 is determined by the-time limitsin which the switch can be made to operate in he the closed circuitposition after it has been tilted therefrom into a corresponding opencircuit position, that is, it is determined by the amount of mercurywhich in said open circuit position can be held in said chamber 9 backof said bafiie electrode 5 while said mercury is flowing through saidopening 7 to a level below the lower limit of the edge of' said cup 3 atthat point at which time circuit through the switch will of course bedisconnected. In predetermining the size of said chamber 9.the height ofsaid cup 3 and the size of openings 7 and 8 must of course beconsidered. The size of the other subchamber 10, is determined by theamount of mercurywhich it is required to hold in the open circuitposition of the switch.

In Fig. 3 is shown the switch of Fig. 1 mounted on apanel 11 which ismovable about a pivot 12 near one end thereof. The arm 13 connects thepanel 11 to the armature 14 of solenoid 15 through a slotted pivot joint16. Said switch 1 and solenoid 15 are connected in series to currentsupply mains 17 and 1 8. The pivot 12 and armature and solenoid 14 and15 are positioned with respect to said switch 1 and panel 11 so thatsaid solenoid upon energization through said mains 17 and 18 willactuate said switch to move it into the open circuit position, and sothat the weight of said switch 1 and panel 11 will act to move theswitch into a closed circuit position.

The solenoid 15 depending upon the load, source of supply, and otheroperative conditions is connected in circuit either in parallel or inseries with said load. In Fig. 4 the solenoid 15 is shown as beingconnected in series with load 19. In Fig. 5 the solenoid 15 is shownconnected in parallel with load 19.

In the operation of the switch of my invention, to secure a delay in thebreaking of the circuit therethrough from the time it is moved into acircuit breaking position and to secure the delay in the breaking of acircuit therethrough when it is moved into an open circuit position thefollowing phases of operation are gone through.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the switch being in a closed circuitposition as in Fig. 6 and the mercury 2 therein forming a continuousbody and connecting said electrode 3 to said bafiie electrode 5 tosecure a delayed opening of the circuit through the switch it is moved,for example, into the position shown in Fig. 7 in which the main body ofmercury 2 held by said bafiie 5 and flowing through a restricted opening7 occupies an appreciable and predeterminable period of time in flowingfrom a position in said subchamber 9 at a level above the lower limit ofthe edge of on 3 to a level below said lower limit of the e ge of cup 3below which point the mercury is divided into two bodies one of which 2'is within said cup 3 and the other part 2 is without the limits thereofas shown in Fig. 7. The said body 2 will of course maintain itsequilibrium entirely within said sub-chamber 10. In securing anestablishment of current path through the switch at a predeterminedinterval after the switch is moved from an open circuit position to aclosed circuit position the switch is moved from the position with themercury as shown in Fig. 8 into the position shown in Fig. 9, in whichthe main body of mercury 2 is banked up in said sub-chamber 10 back ofbaflie 5 where it flows through said restricted opening 7 intosub-chamber 9 whereupon it attains a level above the lower limit of theedge of said cup 3 and communicating with the mercury 2 in said cup acircuit path is established through the switch, equilibrium of mercuryin said position being shown in Fig. 6.

In the operation of the switch in the circuit shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5and starting from the open circuit position,'the weight of the switchand panel will cause the switch to be moved to the closed positionthereof as shown in Fig. 9 in which position the 1ncrcury will through apredetermined period of time flow from the circuit making position to acircuit making level as indicated in Fig. 6. Upon the establishment. ofcircuit through the switch energization of solenoid 15 and load 19 bycurrent supplied from mains 17 and 18 takes place. Upon energizetion ofsaid solenoid 15 the armature 14 which is moved therein on a circuitbreaking movement of the switch, the switch and panel will be actuatedthereby and move together into the position shown in Fig. 3 (see alsoFig. 7) in which the mercury in said switch 1 assumes a position insub-chamber 10 and back of baflie electrode 5 from the level of which itwill flow through a prede termined period of time through saidrestricted opening 7 to disconnect the circuit through the switch uponattaining a level be low the lower limit of the edge of said cup 3 atwhich the main body of mercury 2 is disconnected from the body ofmercury 2 contained in said cup. Upon the opening of circuit through theswitch and the conscquent deenergization of the solenoid 15 the switchthrough its weight and that of the panel 11 and other parts connectedthereto will again move into the circuit closing position whereby acycle of the switch operation is completed which cycle will continue.

in this form of my invention as long as current is supplied throughmains 17 and 18. As disclosed in my said applications 722.425 and722.427 the electrodes 3 and 5 will be protected from any arcing whichmay occur in the making or breaking of circuit through the switch by themercury bodies 2 and 2' between which said making and breaking ooltlintents curs, the material of the envelope ot the switch 1 will beprotected from such', arcing by the position thereot away from saidenvelope of the rim ct said cup 3 which rim, as disclosed in saidco-pending applications, is itself protected by being made of materialwhich is resistant to temperatures upon such arcing.

The switch envelope is when desired provided with an atmosphere of gassuch as hydrogen and nitrogen which serves to quench any such arcing andto conduct heat resulting therefrom rapidly from the interior to theexterior ot the switch.

While I have shown and described the bafie 5 as being of metal, it is tobe understood that where desired the bathe 5 is made of insulatingmaterial such as fused silica, porcelain, hard glass, etc., and mountedon i the lead wire 6, in such away that the said lead wire connects withthe mercury on the appropriate side ot. said bafie 5 essential to theproper functioning of the switch, or said battle 5 may be mounted on thewall ot the container and the lead .wire '6 connecting with the mercuryin any well known manner.

Furthermore, the described barrier effect obtained with the battle 5 isobtained in an other embodiment, useful in the arts generally, by simplyconstricting the tube 10, as by drawing out the said tube, at the pointwhere the said barrier or battle etlect is re quired to cause thenecessary restriction of the flow of the mercury in its ascent ordescent ot the wall of the cup to secure the desired time interval makeand break cl the circuit throughthe switch, the usual gas bypass tor theconstriction between the chambers being provided where necessary.

lln the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the armature M is of the balancedtype and ex tends through the coil so that when it is energized it littsthe switch panelll about the pivot 12.1

ln those cases where minimum energy in the operating solenoid isdesirable ll prefer to pivot the panel adjacent to the bar 13 andreverse the switch 1 on said panel and mount the solenoid as shown.llnthis arrangement the moving system is so balanced about the pivot 12that small amounts only ct electrical energy are sequired to move thetill armature lt into the solenoid 15 to operate the switch.

l claim: I s 1. ln anelectric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealedvitreous envelope, a bafie mountedsubstantially across the interior ofsaid envelope and dividing it into two chamhere, a restricted openingnear the bottom of said heme and connecting the two chambers, said baflebeing separate from said envelope, means for supporting said bafie, an

electrodesealed through the wall of said container, a second electrodesealed through said envelope, a wall ofvitreous material sealed to saidenvclo e about and terminatmg above said secon electrode, mercury insaid envelope connecting with first said elec: trode and extendingbetween the limits of said wall about second said Ilectrodc andconnecting with said second electrode in a closed circuit position ofthe switch, and in an open circuit position of the switch positioned ata level below that of the upper limit out said wall about second saidelectrode, I

2. ln an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope, a battle mounted substantially across the interior of saidenvelope and dividing it into two chamhers, a restricted opening nearthe bottom of said bafie and connecting the two chambers, said bafllebeing separate from said envelope, means for supporting said hams, anelectrode sealed through the wall of said container into one of saidchambers, a second electrode sealed through said envelope in the otherchamber, a wall ct vitreous mate rial sealed to said envelope to term acup about and terminating above said second electrode, mercury in saidenvelope connecting with first said electrode and extending between thelimits of said wall about second said electrode and connecting with saidsecond electrode in a closed circuit position of the switch, and in anopen circuit position ot the switch in the main part thereof positionedin the main body ot the switch at a level below that of the upper limitof said cup with the remainder thereof in said cup and. extending abovesaid second electrode.

3. ln an electric switch of the liquid tilow type, a sealed vitreousenvelope, a heme mounted substantially across the interior ct saidenvelo e and dividing it into two chambers, said attle being separatefrom said envelope, means for supporting said home, a restricted openingnear the bottom of said baths and connecting the two chambers, anelectrode sealed. throu h the wall of said container. into one of it echambers at said battle, a second electrode sealed through said envelopein the other. said chamber, a wall of vitreous material sealed'to saidenvelope to torm a cup about and terminating above said secondelectrode, mercu in said envelope connecting with first sai electrodeand en:- tending between the limits of said wall about second saidelectrode and connecting with said second electrode in a closed circuitposition of the switch, and in an open circuitposition of the switch inthe main part thereof positioned in the main body of the switch at alevel below that of the upper limit of said cup with the remainderthereof in said cup andextending above said second electrode.

4. In an electric switch of the liquid flow llld type, a sealed envelopehaving mercur therein, a bafile of conducting material d1- viding theinterior thereof into two chambers, said bafiie having formed therein atits bottom a restricted opening for the flow of said mercuryth-erethrough and at its top a gas passage, a lead sealed through thewall of said envelope and connected with and supporting saidbathe-electrode, 'a continuous Wall having one of its limits near saidbaffle extends to a limit intermediate the bottom and top of saidenvelope to form a cup or enclosure opening through its top into saidenvelope and closed to the exterior, and an electrode sealed from theexterior into the interior of said cup and terminating below the limitsof the opening of said cup.

5. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a a sealed envelopehaving mercury therein, a bafiie of conducting material dividing theinterior thereof into two chambers, said bafile having formed therein atits bottom a restricted opening for the flow of said mercurytherethrough, a lead sealed through the wall of said envelope andconnected with and supporting said baflle electrode, a continuous wallhaving one of its limits near said baflle extends to a limitintermediate the' bottom and top of said envelope to form a cup orenclosure opening through its top into said envelope and closed to theexterior, and an electrode sealed from the exterior into the interior ofsaid cup and terminating below the limits of the opening of said cup.

6. In an electric switch of the liquid flow type, a sealed envelopehaving mercury therein, a baflie of conducting material dividing theinterior thereof into two chambers, said baflle having formed therein atits bottom a restricted opening for the flow of said mercurytherethrough and near its top a re stricted opening for the flow of gastherethrough for attaining equilibrium in said switch, a lead sealedthrough the wall of said envelope and connected with and supporting saidbafile electrode, a continuous Wall having one of its limits near saidbafiieextends to a limit intermediate the bottom and top of saidenvelope to form a cup or enclosure opening through its to into saidenvelope and closed to the exterior, and an electrode sealed from theexterior into the interior of said cup and terminating below the limitsof the opening of said cup;

Signed at Hoboken, inthe county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, this25th day of August, A. l). 1924.

' WARREN R. WALKER.

